Tuesday Apple Rumors: Only One iPhone 6 ‘Certain’ to Launch This Year

The larger model may have same resolution as the smaller unit

Alone?: An analyst at UBS (UBS) says that Apple (AAPL) has developed two iPhone 6 models, but may only launch one of them in August or September, Barron’s notes. Steve Milunovich says that his checks of Apple’s supply chain confirm that the company has developed two iPhone 6 models with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screens. However, he says that only the 4.7-inch model “seems certain” to debut this year. The 5.5-inch “may or may not launch at the same time.” Milunovich also says that the larger iPhone could also feature the same screen resolution as the smaller iPhone. While that would reduce its pixel density, it would aid app developers would would only need to create apps for one resolution. Milunovich forecasts softer Apple device sales during the first two calendar quarters of the year, but rising results in the third quarter of 2014. Milunovich maintains rates Apple stock as a “Buy.” He has set a $625 per share price target for Apple. A number of recent rumors have suggested that Apple will launch two iPhone 6 models this year, with the 5.5-inch model representing Apple’s first step into so-called “phablet” territory.

Victory: A Japanese court has handed Samsung a major loss in its patent battle against Apple, Bloomberg notes. A Tokyo District Court judge rejected Samsung’s claims that Apple’s iPhone 4s, iPhone 4 and Apple 2 infringe on some of its patents. Samsung had alleged that the mobile devices contained technology that violated its data communications patents. Samsung said that it was “disappointed” by the court’s ruling and would review its options, including a possible appeal of the verdict. Apple and Samsung have been embroiled in worldwide patent litigation for several years.

Bad Timing: On Monday, the New York Times pulled an ad for Apple’s iPad from its homepage after social media observers pointed out that it was an unfortunate fit with the newspaper’s top story, AdAge notes. The iPad ad is part of Apple’s “Your Verse” campaign and featured a diver using an iPad underwater. The underwater scene was positioned near to a news story reporting on the probable loss of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 — carrying more than 230 passengers and crew — in the Indian Ocean. Twitter users quickly upbraided the Times for the insensitive placement. The ad was removed after several hours. A spokesperson for the Times called the ad’s placement near the doomed airliner report “an unfortunate coincidence.”

For more about the company, check out our previous Apple Rumors stories.